Tiger Woods has joined many of the world's top golfers in Abu Dhabi for the European Tour event.

Tiger Woods remains the biggest attraction in the world of golf. Despite a lackluster run that has lasted two full years, and being dogged by his off-course dramas, the former world No.1 has proven yet again why he can pull in a crowd with his season-opening appearance in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi is an unusual place for him to start his season, but there were several key factors in his decision to begin the year on the European Tour.

Firstly, there was the lure of a healthy fee (estimated at $1.5 million) from sponsor HSBC to add value to its growing commitment to this hugely popular event. Secondly, there was the opportunity for him to kickstart his year by testing his latest mutation as a swinger of the golf club against the very best field in world golf. And thirdly, it represented a golden chance to begin his build towards the first major of 2012, the Masters Tournament in two months' time.

Woods has won the Masters on four occasions, most recently in 2005 when he defeated Chris DiMarco in a playoff and famously holed out his chip shot on the par-three 16th during a pulsating afternoon of golf. He's not won it since, and while tying the great Arnold Palmer for wins, he remains two precious victories away from Jack Nicklaus - who famously claimed his sixth Green Jacket at the age of 46 in 1986.

Majors are what motivate Woods the golfer. At 36 years of age he has more than enough time to match, and indeed surpass, Nicklaus' record haul of 18 major titles. With 14 majors in the bag, Woods has some serious achieving to do for the remainder of his career. While not impossible, it remains that he will have to win five more majors to become the undisputed "world's greatest."

That would represent a stunning career haul for any one of his peers. Only great rival Phil Mickelson comes close with four major victories - 10 shy of Tiger. It's now a question of desire, good health and smattering of good fortune.

Woods hasn't won a major since the U.S. Open in June 2008. His world imploded after crashing into a fire hydrant in November of 2009 and he has been in rehab, undergone surgery, been divorced and attempted several comebacks. He has been unable to tick all of the boxes, until now.

With a seemingly better balanced life off-course, new swing changes bedded in and a much healthier physique than has been the case in several years, Tiger Woods is back on the prowl.

For HSBC, he represents good value as the mirror of the bank's sports sponsorship and business strategies, helping spur growth in key markets like China, Brazil and here in the United Arab Emirates. Woods' inclusion in the field has the power to raise the non-golfing public's awareness of both the tournament and, most importantly, HSBC itself - one of the world's premier financial institutions.

Win or lose this week, Tiger Wood has returned to the stage that he thrives on, and that represents a win-win all-round.

soundoff(33 Responses)

Jens Riis

I disagree. It's time to start focusing on golf, not on Tiger. As I see it, the game itself looses when the only thing that seems to matter is one guy. I for one seldom watch a tournament when Tiger's playing – he's virtually the only thing the TV shows, even when his play is substandard. I want to see golf, and Tiger's excess baggage. There are so many good players out there, and they often end up as background noise when the "star" is playing..

Tiger Woods is the bread and butter of golf today without tiger golf today is not so interestingly alive, even his peers player admittedly that without him getting sponsors with higher purse is waning. Therefore those who envy of him for his failure are dead wrong because this makes him more motivated to become the greatest man in golf history...

There is the one and only Tiger Woods and golfers the world over just couldn't wait for you to reclaim the world's No. 1 spot. The world's golfers never thought harshly of your jaunts and only focus on the way you electrified the world with your flair in golf.

Agree Tiger Woods will always be remembered as one of the greatest golf players to set foot on this earth. And that will be as far as he goes until he start winning tournaments especially majors. It won't be easy for Tiger now because the number of quality gofers have increases. Just look at the resurgence of European Golfers. With names like Luke Donald, Rory MciLroy, Martin Kymer, Lee Westwood and many more. Not mentioning those from US, Australia and other part of the world. So until Tiger improve, I will choose to watch the more exciting Rory Mcilroy.

His golfing achievements, great as they have been, does not entitle him to scandalous behaviour, that much he has admitted to himself.
He is a fallen idol who needs to redeem himself and I do not see young children now looking to him as their sports inspiration.
Unless he walks the straight path, be humble and let his golf do the talking. Jack was/is his idol and he should look to 'the greatest' to learn how to live the decent life.
All the best, Tiger.

The spectator world of golf cannot say who stays or who goes away from the game. It is all about the act of any individual player, on or off the course, that gives us golf fans the answer of how one or another player lasts. I am 67 years young. Never won in the game of golf, sill waiting for my first hole in one – thank you all.

While it would be nice if the Tiger of yesteryear returns to the curcuit , I think the game has gotten along just fine without him. A fine group of young golfers have taken over and are bringing excitement on a weekly basis. These young men, including foreign born are very good and show respect for Tiger but no fear. I say Tiger will be lucky to win a major this year and far as the fans are concerned the competition is just fine, thank you!

My 86 year old mother got interested in golf when Tiger started and only watches when he is playing. Like it or not, every sport makes money when they have a player that can draw. Boxing "Ali" Hockey "Gresky" Baseball 'Babe" on and on.
Money is the name of the game

the rest come and go... win once in a while.... be spectacular once in a while... who wants to watch them... may be Rory.... we will have to wait and watch!!!!! On the other hand........
Tiger.... creates drama does not ,matter what.. while winning , while losing or messing up his personal life... and all with a whole lot of dedication.!!!.. Go Tiger!!!!

Tiger, Tiger,Tiger he is back. No one can play shots like he does he is brilliant and a shot maker he can turn deficit into surplus. He has master this game like nobody does on tour. Hold on your breath out there he is just starting. His comeback just begining. No Tiger No Golf
He plays with excitemnt to watch that's why he is so special than the rest to watch. Go Tiger you know the start and you know how to end it.

Every golfer beginners, pros whoever in this generation owe TIGER WOODS his do respect. Without him right now the ratings on TV always go down check the stats. So please do't diss on Mr. Golf OH I meant
TIGER WOODS

Tiger... He is everything to the sport of golf. No disrespect to other PGA golf players. Tiger brings hopes, motivations, inspiration, and dreams to people of all.

They are only a few people who has these sort of capabilities in the sports arena, such as, Ali, Manny Pac Man, Babe, Gresky, Michael Jordan, and TIGER WOODS. They only share three things: First, bring inspiration to all. Second, unmatchable greatness. Lastly, No one is perfect.

Go Tiger Go... Never look back and only primitive people live in the past!

I don't play golf but I do watch when Tiger is in the hunt. I don't doubt that there are other great players current and coming up but if I had to name one, I couldn't. That is the difference. Like greats in other sports, his excellence draws the attention of those who are not your avid golf fans. Who else in golf can you say that about? He is in no way perfect but you have to admire what he has achieved and what we anticipate he can still achieve. Go Tiger!!

I can't play golf anymore either because of 4 injuries. but I do watch it every chance I get. It's always good to have Tiger in there even if he's not playing well. I think he's a threat when ever he's out there and the player's know that. good luck Tiger.

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About Shane O’Donoghue

Shane O’Donoghue joined CNN in 2011 as the host of monthly programme, ‘Living Golf’. Hailing from Tipperary in Ireland, Shane worked as a presenter and commentator for the national broadcaster RTE for fifteen years. From 2004-2010, he was part of the BBC TV Golf Commentary team, reporting, commentating and interviewing at key events such as The Masters, Open Championships, BMW PGA Championships, Barclays Scottish Open Championships in addition to the Ryder and Walker Cups. For CNN, he was the first journalist to interview Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy together. A fine player himself, Shane regularly takes on the pros on behalf of CNN Living Golf. He has a particular passion for the amateur game, and has written a book called, “Legends in their Spare Time”, about Ireland’s finest amateur players.